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The W.H. plans to sanction the Libyan government and its leader, Muammer Qadhafi. AP PhotoClose

The White House, in coordination with European allies, plans to pursue a slate of tough economic sanctions against the Libyan government, beginning at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday.

An administration official confirmed late Thursday that the Obama administration plans to support a U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution, which is likely to be introduced by Britain at a 3 p.m. meeting on Friday. The Treasury Department is also planning asset freezes and travel restrictions aimed at Muammar Qadhafi’s regime and multilateral sanctions with American allies like the European Union, although officials couldn’t confirm a timeline for those actions.

On Tuesday, the Security Council released a strongly worded statement condemning the Libyan government’s bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters demanding the ouster of longtime dictator Muammar Qadhafi, and calling for his four-decade-long regime to act with restraint and respect for human rights. Friday’s meeting is a step toward completing the details of the sanctions resolution, a process that could take a week or longer for the Security Council to adopt.

The White House, with other countries, is lining up a package of steps to respond aggressively in Libya, including the creation of a no-fly zone. But because American citizens in Libya are still waiting for evacuation, the Obama administration is discussing the full scope of options in private.